Army Issues Evacuation Warnings as Airstrikes Intensify in Southern Lebanon

Army Issues Evacuation Warnings as Airstrikes Intensify in Southern Lebanon
November 17, 2024, 11:19 am

جنوب لبنان

The Israeli army reiterated its warnings today, Sunday, to several areas in the southern suburbs.

Israeli army spokesman Avichai Adraee issued a tweet on his X account, alerting residents of the Bourj al-Barajneh, Hadath, and Shiyah areas to evacuate. He published a map highlighting the places and buildings that should be cleared, marking yet another occurrence in recent days, as the southern suburbs, once considered a stronghold of Hezbollah, have faced a series of intense airstrikes affecting multiple locations.

Less than an hour after this warning, heavy bombardment commenced, with three aggressive airstrikes hitting the suburbs, starting from the Hadath area where thick columns of smoke began to rise.

Another airstrike targeted the Shiyah area on the outskirts of Ain el-Rammaneh (which has a Christian majority), resulting in the destruction of a 12-story building, alongside bombardment in the Bourj al-Barajneh region.

The army also issued warnings for areas in Haret Hreik, near one of the churches, citing their proximity to Hezbollah facilities, subsequent to which Israeli aircraft conducted strikes in that area.

Simultaneously, Al-Arabiya/Al-Hadath reported a downed drone near the city of Yavne, south of Tel Aviv, indicating that sirens sounded in the city and its surroundings in central Israel.

The report also mentioned a drone downed near a military facility south of Tel Aviv, adding that approximately 15 rockets were launched towards Haifa and the Akka Bay.

This follows several airstrikes conducted by Israeli aircraft on Jibshit in the Nabatieh district, as well as in Marjeyoun and the town of Khyam in the south.

Additionally, the Israeli army has issued evacuation warnings to residents of 15 southern towns.

The previous hours witnessed intense clashes in border towns in southern Lebanon between Hezbollah and Israeli forces.

Sources from Al-Arabiya/Al-Hadath reported on Saturday night that fierce fighting erupted in the town of Maroun al-Ras, where both sides employed heavy weaponry.

The reports also indicated that Israeli forces attempted to enter the town of Khyam.

Furthermore, the sources clarified that Israeli forces withdrew from the town of Shama towards Tair Harfa, yet still maintain control over an agricultural road between the two towns.

They launched what they described as a limited ground operation in the south at the beginning of October, where their forces penetrated some border villages.

This week (mid-November), they also commenced the second phase of their ground operation, advancing deeper into the south.

Since the exchange of shelling between Hezbollah and Israel began on October 8, 2023, over 3,452 people have been killed, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health, with more than 1.2 million Lebanese displaced.

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